Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (R,C,I,Ref-Lyons) attended a press conference this afternoon which protested Gov. Cuomo’s proposed $75 million cut to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a statewide Medicaid program which allows people to choose their own at-home care and how it is administered, rather than an agency assigning someone to a person’s case. The cut will largely affect both individuals with disabilities and the senior population.

“You can’t force someone to get a specific type of medical treatment, so you shouldn’t be able to force someone to get a specific type of at-home care,” said Manktelow. “They should have the option to interview, hire and fire caregivers just like any other employer. The population who uses these services the most are individuals with disabilities and seniors, who have a specific set of needs. Not every individual who can provide at-home care will work well with every individual who needs it; sometimes it isn’t a good fit. We shouldn’t be forcing people together. We should continue to allow them control over finding someone who works well with their situation. I will be fighting for funding to be restored to this program so people can continue to have a say in their at-home care.”